WHat do payments and all that look like?? I'm planning on joining the military the Coast Guard actually. When I'm done with my tour, I'm planning on being a fireman, EMT, or a merchant marine. I'm actually thinking of buying a used one, with a lot of miles. Should I be able to afford one? What type of work do you all do? Thank you for you time.

 

how would we know if you would be able to afford one, by telling you what we pay to own one???

find a z you're interested in, go to kbb or some other like site, use their payment calculator and see where you are at - then you'll know what you can afford...

evryone's situation here will most likely be just as unique as yours.

good luck.

 

I walked in with cash, walked out with a Z. Heh, briefcase style, just like in the movies

 

Damn you! I've ALWAYS wanted to do that. I guess I'll have to wait a little bit longer.... maybe for my next car

As for the OP, I'm sure you'll be able to afford it... as long as you don't have a mortgage payment or a gf

 

I walked in with a Maserati 3200 GT ( with a £12000 worth of issues ) and walked out with a 2003 Z GT fully loaded. It was fine with me , the dealer didnt know what he had let himself in for.

 

Congrats on your plans to serve your country first of all. As for whether you can afford one, hit google for one of the many payment calculators that are available to figure out your payments. Unless you know your credit well enough to know what kind of rates you can get, play with higher and lower interest rates so that you have a range of payments based on what year/option you're looking at.

Remember to call your insurance company and get a quote. Some younger folks have some pretty high rates in this car.

At around 17 or 18 MPG, this car can put a hurtin' on your cash flow if you drive lots of miles each day.

If you're living on a tight budget, remember to set up a "maintenance fund" for your car to pay for things like tires and scheduled services. Oil changes are cheap, but $1200 for a set of tires stings if you're not prepared.

Whatever you do, be realistic about how much you can afford. The car payment isn't the only "car expense" in the picture, and the total costs associated with the car aren't the only monthly expenses you'll have. Do yourself a favor and don't commit to living 'car poor' for 5 years just to own a cool (though used) sports car. (And yes, I am the voice of experience )

One last thought...I know that buying a used Z with 'lots of miles on it' is a good way to decrease the purchase cost, but remember that the same car will potentially be quite close to the end of warranty. Hard-driven sports cars with no warranty can be doubly expensive if you start having to replace clutches, transmissions, etc. Point is, be very cautious about buying a Z that you have no history of.

Good luck to you.

 

a new Z all total; car payment, insurance, gas, fund for expendable items (tires, brake pads etc...) should be around 900-950 per month.

 

Wow....900-950 for all that... Well it all depends on what your downpayment is, and if you have good credit. Then do a google search on an "auto loan calculator". I used edmunds calculator sorry I don't have a link for you. Good luck!

 

i pay $470 a month plus $120 insurance + $60 in gas a month(don't drive it much cept on weekends). So all in all about $650 a month if you figure in tires once a year, alignment and oil.

 

G owner but i pay 400 a month (20g downpay)
insurance - 800 every 6 months just for G (clean record and its under my dad's name.)
i dont drive much so gas cost isnt my problem
for Z...probably around a thousand if thats going to be the daily. (new Z)
it wont be the pain in the *** tho if you get used with lots of miles on

 

you can afford anything... if you manage your money correctly. the Z is not a
expensive car at all. just include tires into the mix when you caculate your payment
thank you for your service to OUR country.

 

By my calculations:

$470 Car Payment
$120 Insurance
$ 60 Gas
$100 Tires ($1200 / 12)
$ 20 (Oil Changes, wiper blades, car wash supplies, etc.)
---------
$770

EDIT: Oh, and if you're diseased, add the $1000/month that some of us have averaged in mods...Damn this car!!!

 

FWIW (because your situation and credit rating and finance options will be unique) I pay:

$485 Car Payment
$70 Insurance
$30 Gas (weekend toy)

So about $585/month. Honestly, my Xterra costs more to own because it gets like 15mpg and gas is $2.30/gallon.

 

E-1 in the military makes a 1142.70 regardless of which service. They pay for your food and housing. Not a bad deal. I have 16 years in the Air Force (overseas at the time) and If I could do it again I would have joined the Coast Gaurd. I had A New Firebird Formula when I came in. I could have used my money better but a nice car has always been high on my list (little ***** syndrome). You should be able to afford it. But depending on your peticular circumstances ie. age, location, driving record, things could be tight. Even if you get a good loan through a credit union at say 5% your looking at 500 for a payment and at least 200 a month for ins. you should not spend more than about 20% of you income on your vehicle. Just my .2

 

I pay
384/mo ( had good downpayment)
240/ mon insurance ( yes per mo)
120 gas
80 (prorated tires)
20 oil change (every other mo w/ hi end oil+ filter

plus mod money ( buckoo bucks)

 

I pay touring all options
606 car upside down car trade in
240 gas
150 insurance
20 oil changes

Grand total 1,016.00 DAAMMM!!!!

 

that all depends...do you live in jersey or not?

 

The things we do for the love of cars, eh?

 

If you have to ask us, I'd say no. Can you afford $700-$900 a month for car, gas, insurance?

 

I know it hurts but I love my baby and the wheels go in in a month